Reed, Robertson go head-to-head at fiery Elmira debate

• Reed says Robertson%27s positions extreme%3B Robertson says Reed is mispresenting them

Sparks flew more than once Thursday night during a debate between incumbent Republican Tom Reed and Democratic challenger Martha Robertson for the 23rd Congressional District seat.

"My opponent says she voted against the SAFE Act. When she had an opportunity to vote for the repeal of the SAFE Act at the Tompkins County Legislature, she voted to support the SAFE Act," Reed said.

"You're lying," Robertson interjected. "I'm sorry, that's not true."

Reed said that shows the clear contrast between Robertson and himself, a sentiment he expressed several times during the debate.

"My opponent is saying things tonight to try to misrepresent her position on this, and I think it's clear," he said.

Earlier, Robertson said there are a number of common-sense solutions that Americans are looking for.

"Everybody wants to know that their family will be safe, that their children will be safe in school, if you go to a movie, you're not going to have to worry about losing your life," she said. "As far as a state issue, I am against the SAFE Act. I voted against the SAFE Act. I signed a pledge to repeal the SAFE Act. So anybody who says I didn't is lying."

Robertson, of Dryden, said she believes universal background checks are reasonable and not anything that threatens Second Amendment rights that she strongly supports.

Reed, of Corning, pointed out that he is a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association and the Shooters Committee on Political Education, and got an A-plus rating from both organizations, while Robertson received a grade of F.

Instead of talking about taking away Second Amendment rights and guns, the focus should be on the mental health issue of the individuals behind the guns used in mass shootings, he said.

"We need to improve mental health in America," he said. "That's part of health care reform going forward that I'm an advocate for, that I've been a loud voice for — improving mental health, because then you're getting to the issue."

Reed added that people who commit a drug crime with a weapon should go to jail and lose the right to own a gun because they abused their Second Amendment rights.

Responding to a question about senior issues such as Social Security and Medicare, Robertson called Reed's votes disastrous and said he voted to end the Medicare guarantee, raise the Social Security retirement age and cut Social Security benefits.

"There are common-sense solutions that we can use to make these programs more sustainable long-term, such as negotiating for drugs under the Medicare program," she said. Regarding Social Security, she suggested raising the cap that freezes the Social Security tax at an income of $117,000 and above.

Reed said his record is clear that he supports Social Security and Medicare.

"What we're talking about is recognizing that Social Security and Medicare are on a path to bankruptcy. In 2033, that's when they go bankrupt. To say, as my opponent wants to do, that we're not going to do anything about it, that's the wrong thing to do," he said.

"I went to Washington, D.C., to do something, to solve problems, and Social Security and Medicare going bankrupt in 2033, it's wrong not to deal with it proactively and prevent the catastrophe that would occur if we continue to do what we do in Washington, D.C., in regards to just kicking the can down the road," Reed said.

"You say you support Medicare and Social Security, but that's not actually what your votes do," Robertson said, adding Reed was fear-mongering about Social Security and Medicare going bankrupt in 2033, calling that untrue.

"Facts matter," she said. "If we don't change anything from now until 2033, any income, any benefits, the difference is only 15 percent that we wouldn't have the money to pay for in 2033. It's not bankrupt. It's a 15 percent gap."

Other issues that were debated during Thursday's hourlong matchup included undocumented immigration reform, the Affordable Care Act, the federal minimum wage, climate change and global warming, Common Core and the federal government's role in the Ebola crisis.